That's the point, surely; serial killers are seldom stereotypically "scary". More often they're detached, cold and controlling - rather like Hopkins portrays Lecter in this movie.

Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lector is one of the most iconic portrayals of a character ever. If you can't state your point a little better then nobody's going to take you seriously.

Hopkins is actually Welsh.

Hopkins was the "popular" choice and while I don't have an issue with his win or the film, I feel the oscar
really belonged to Nick Nolte for PRINCE OF TIDES that year. I feel that Hopkins did have some intense and worthy scenes and his limited screen time was masterfully edited into the picture.

No Oscar deserved; put Jason Miller in the role, and he would have been scary.
He was praised because La Hopkins, the British gent

I like the performance but on second watch I think its borderline hammy. Disagree with your statement tho as hopkins was very good just slightly ott for my liking.